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Last week Senator Rex Patrick tabled Dr. Haines Federal Integrity Commission Bill in the Senate.
The tabling of the Bill should have enabled debate on the Bill to happen in the House of Representatives AFTER the LNP KILLED it off in May - by REFUSING to put Haine's Bill onto the Lower House Agenda.
The 'technicality' that defeated Dr Haines' motion despite a 66-63 MAJORITY in the first Division (supported by the Opposition, Greens MP Adam Bandt and independent MPs Craig Kelly, Bob Katter, Andrew Wilkie, Zali Steggall and Rebekha Sharkie) and 66-64(?) in the second Division was that Dr Haine's motion to suspend Standing Orders to DEBATE her Bill - was not supported by a MAJORITY of MPs because due to Covid restrictions there was only 99 MPs PHYSICALLY in the Chamber!
As Independent Australia explained:
"Kevin Andrews who saved the day when he told the Speaker:
“I submit to you that the question we've just voted on is the question which was before the House. It didn't have an absolute majority and therefore it fails.”
An absolute majority is 76.
Dutton came in behind him:
“The vote required an absolute majority, which was not achieved. The normal practice in this House, as I understand it, is for you to declare the vote as you have, Mr Speaker, but to note at that point that, given an absolute majority had not been achieved, the motion moved by the honourable member does not carry.”
Wallace went along with it. Inattendance had saved the day."
Which then SHOULD make Australians ask: If this technicality' is correct - then doesn't this put into doubt EVERY piece of Legislation PASSED by Morrison's LNP Government since Covid-19 began??
And also proves how Albanese playing 'by the rules' and politely enabling 'pairs' in the Chamber when Government MPs are unwell or away for personal/family reasons (Tony Abbott DIDN'T when in Opposition!) has ENABLED some pretty contentious Legislation to be passed by Morrison's Government!
Bridget Archer a MARGINAL LNP MP voted FOR debate of the Bill after having previously sided with her Government to NOT ALLOW debate on Haine's ICAC Bill
Was it really INTEGRITY that made Ms Archer suddenly change her vote? Or REALITY that MARGINAL LNP MPs are at risk of NOT being re-elected over the Federal ICAC issue?
For those like me on the left side of the political spectrum - it may be hard to be convinced that an Independent Liberal-leaning MP could possibly come up with a Bill that holds BOTH sides of Politics to account - but Dr Haines' has!
Left leaning voters need to be aware that Ms Haines' Bill has the support of centrist MPs, some Labor MPs AND Green MPs because Dr Haines' Bill is even TOUGHER than Larissa Waters' Bill as it INCLUDES a Parliamentary Code of Conduct!
Left leaning voters need to realise that in Liberal stronghold seats - the ONLY Independents likely to unseat a high-ranking LNP MP is a socially progressive but moderately conservative Independent candidate - because whether we like it or not - that is reality - NOT wishful thinking.
Left leaning voters PLEASE don't write off this STRONG, RETROSPECTIVE ICAC Bill just BECAUSE Dr Haines' is a liberal-leaning Independent.